Chloe Zhang
Plastic beaded chain crimps are a great way to secure a loop on a piece of jewellery. They are easy to use and can be tightened with a simple pair of pliers. Whether you are using plastic or metal crimps, the process is the same. First, you will need to thread the wire through the crimp and then through the clasp to make a loop. Then, you will need to pull the crimp down towards the clasp and flatten it with your pliers. Finally, you can cut off any excess wire and hide the tail behind a bead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To secure a loop on a piece of jewelry so that the finished piece can be attached to other components of jewelry. |
| Supplies | Crimp beads, wire, pliers, clasps, end pieces, jump rings, end caps, adhesive |
| Steps | 1. String the crimp bead onto the wire. 2. Attach a clasp and move the crimp bead close to the clasp. 3. Thread the wire back through the crimp bead, forming a loop. 4. Flatten and close the crimp bead using pliers. 5. Cut off excess wire. 6. String decorative beads. 7. Tighten beads by pulling on the wire. 8. Attach final clasp and crimp the final bead. |
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What You'll Learn
Using crimping pliers
Crimping pliers are an essential tool for beaders and jewellery makers. They are designed specifically for flattening and rounding crimp beads to secure your creations. While you can use regular flat-nose pliers to flatten a crimp bead, you won't get the same round, uniform crimps that crimping pliers will give you. Crimping pliers are also a big help when you are learning to crimp and string.
To use crimping pliers, first, make sure you have gathered all your supplies. You will need your piece of jewellery, a crimp bead (tube-shaped or round-shaped), and chosen pliers. Take a crimp bead and string it onto the end of the wire. Now attach a chosen clasp and move the crimp bead close to the end of the clasp or end piece. Take the end of the wire and pass it back through the crimp bead and several neighbouring beads, leaving a small tail.
Now you are ready to squeeze the crimp bead shut with your crimping pliers. Place the crimp bead in the back channel of the crimping pliers, closest to the handle. Squeeze the pliers closed, gently but firmly. This will flatten the bead and place a dent in it. Place the dented crimp bead on its side in the front channel of the crimping pliers, closest to the tip. Position the crimp bead so that it looks like the letter C. You are positioning the bead like this so that when you close the pliers and squeeze, the bead will be folded closed right on the dent (closing the C into an O). Squeeze gently but firmly and make sure your crimp bead has closed tightly around the wire. If necessary, use the pliers to make it close tighter.
Finally, tug gently to make sure the wire doesn't pull free. You can now string and tighten your beads. Add an end clasp, make a loop with a crimp bead, and crimp it closed.
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Using regular pliers
While crimping pliers are recommended for the best results, you can use regular pliers to open a plastic beaded chain crimp. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Prepare Your Materials
Gather your plastic beaded chain, a crimp bead (tube-shaped or round-shaped), and your chosen regular pliers. Regular flat or needle-nose pliers will work, but avoid pliers with teeth as they will leave grooves on the surface of the crimp bead.
Step 2: String the Crimp Bead
Take the crimp bead and string it onto the end of the wire of your plastic beaded chain. You may need to use a pair of pliers to hold the wire steady while you do this.
Step 3: Attach the Clasp
Choose an end-piece or clasp that suits your design. Attach it to the wire by forming a loop through the clasp and crimp bead. Then, feed the wire back through the crimp bead, creating a small loop. Ensure the loop is not too tight, so the clasp can move freely.
Step 4: Flatten the Crimp Bead
Use your regular pliers to gently squeeze and flatten the crimp bead. Place the flat section of the pliers onto the crimp bead and apply gentle but firm pressure to smash the bead flat. Check that the bead is tightly holding the wire so that it won't pull free.
Step 5: String and Tighten Your Beads
Thread your decorative beads onto the wire according to your desired design. Once you've added all your beads, tighten them by pulling on the tail end of the loose wire. This will snug all the beads together, leaving no gaps in your design. You can use pliers to hold the clasp and pull the wire if you need more leverage.
Optional Step: Final Crimping
If you're making a piece of jewellery, you'll likely need to crimp the wire on both ends to secure your beads. After adding your final clasp, thread another crimp bead and pull it tight. Use your pliers to squeeze and flatten this final crimp bead, securing your design.
Remember, while regular pliers can be used to open plastic beaded chain crimps, investing in a pair of crimping pliers will give you more uniform and rounded crimps.
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Adding an end piece
To add an end piece to a plastic beaded chain, you will need to use crimp beads. Crimp beads are small tubes of metal designed to be 'squashed' together to secure the design. They are a popular choice for jewellery making as they are neat and simple to use.
First, cut your chain to the desired length. Then, take a crimp bead and string it onto the end of your wire. Next, attach your chosen clasp and move the crimp bead close to the end of the clasp or end piece. You want to leave a small loop around the clasp or end piece, ensuring it can move freely. Now, take the end of the wire and pass it back through the crimp bead and the neighbouring beads, leaving a small tail.
To secure the crimp bead, gently squeeze it flat with pliers. If you have them, use crimping pliers, as these will give you a round, uniform crimp. If not, regular pliers will also work. Simply grasp the crimp bead with the flat section of the pliers and squeeze gently but tightly to smash the crimp bead flat onto the wire. You can also use adhesive inside the crimp end for extra security. Finally, cut the remaining wire and hide the small piece of wire behind the next bead.
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Forming a loop
To form a loop with a crimp bead, start by threading a piece of jewellery wire through a crimp bead and a clasp. Then, feed the wire back through the crimp bead to form a loop. Make sure to leave a tail of wire a couple of inches longer than you think you need, so you have some wire to work with.
Next, move the crimp bead close to the end of the clasp or end piece. Check that the crimp bead is not too close to the clasp or end piece. You want to have a small loop around it, but not so small that the clasp can't move freely.
Now, you can close the crimp. If you have crimping pliers, place the crimp bead in the back channel of the pliers, closest to the handle. If you don't have crimping pliers, you can use regular pliers or chain nose pliers. Simply grasp the crimp bead with the flat section of the pliers and squeeze gently but tightly to smash the crimp bead flat.
Finally, tug gently on the wire to ensure it is secure. You can now thread the rest of your beads onto the wire according to your design.
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Stringing and tightening beads
To begin the process of stringing and tightening beads, you will need to gather your supplies. First, determine the size of your wire and ensure you have the right size of crimp beads. Consider how many strands of wire or thread you will be using, as this will impact the size of the bead you need.
Once you have your supplies, follow these steps:
- Thread your first bead onto the wire, following your chosen design.
- Thread the tail end of the wire through the bead hole.
- Use flush cutters to trim the cord as close as possible to the bead.
- Continue threading the rest of your beads until you reach the end.
- When you are ready to attach your clasp, thread the crimp bead and clasp onto the wire, creating a loop. Ensure there is a small tail of wire to work with.
- Move the crimp bead close to the end of the clasp, leaving a small loop that allows the clasp to move freely.
- Tighten your beads by pulling on the tail end of the loose wire.
- Flatten the crimp bead using crimping pliers or flat pliers. This will secure the wire and ensure your beads remain snugly in place.
It is important to note that different types of pliers will create different effects. Crimping pliers will create a rounded bead, while flat pliers will leave a flattened surface with grooves. If you are using crimping pliers, place the crimp bead in the back channel of the pliers, closest to the handle, and squeeze gently but firmly. Then, position the dented crimp bead in the front channel to fold it closed.
With these steps, you can effectively string and tighten beads to create your desired jewellery piece.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use crimping pliers, regular pliers, or a crimping tool.
First, place the crimp bead in the back channel of the crimping pliers, closest to the handle. Squeeze the pliers closed gently but firmly, which will flatten the bead and place a dent in it. Then, place the dented bead on its side in the front channel of the pliers, closest to the tip. Position the bead so that when you close the pliers, it will fold closed on the dent. Squeeze gently but firmly to ensure the bead has closed tightly around the wire.
Grasp the crimp bead with the flat section of the pliers and squeeze gently but tightly to smash the crimp bead flat onto the wire.
